Machine for applying pneumatic pressure to cast metals



MACHINE FOR- APPLYING PNEUMATI'C PRESSURE TO CAST METALS Filed oct.` 2o, 1945 4 sheets-'sheet 1 .Aug-27,1946 v E. o; JENSEN v 2,406,333-

MACHINE FOR APPLYING PNEUMATI-C PRESSURE TO CAST METALS Filed oct. 2o, 194:5 4 sheets-sheet a 2f i l 3 l l -1 4 mig jZe/ZZ- Aug. 27, 1946.

Filed ocx. zo, i945 E. O. JENSEN .MACHINE FOR APPLYING PNEUMATIC PRESSURE TO CAST METALS 4 Sheets-Shet 3 Aug- 27, 1946. E. p. JENSEN 2,406,333

MACHINE FORy APPLYING PNEUMATIC PRESSURET CAST METALSl i 'Filed oct. 2o, 1943 4 sheets-'sheet 4 Patented Aug. 27, 1946 UNITED STATESIPAKTENT GFFICE MACHINE Fon APPLYAING PNEUMATIC PRESSURE `r'ro CAST METALS .Emil 0. Jensen, ChicagmIll.

Applicationy October 20, 1943, Serial No. 506,973

l17 Claims. 1

The present invention relates generally to a pressure casting machine and is more particularly described as a low pressure sand casting machine. It comprises a portable support and a plurality of rotatable discharging heads which may be raised and lowered carrying extensions rotatable in different angular positions to reach or extend over a number of flasksin proximity thereto, the extensions supporting spring pressed pressure covers which are applied to sprue holes in molding flasks for applying air underv pressure to molten material therein. v

An important object of the invention is to provide a pressure Vcasting machine having a plurality of pressure heads adjustable at angles from a central or main support which is 'adjustable in a vertical direction to quickly apply pressure covers.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for supporting various ask pressure conductors and to easily connect them for application to a single flask or a plurality of flasks to which the casting machine is applied.

A still further object of the invention is to provide pressure distributing means for a plurality of distributors having pressure connections and mounting means of new and improved construction characterized by simplicity of design as well as ease or facility of assembly and arrangement.

Other objects of the invention and various advantages and characteristics of the present pressure casting machine will be'apparent from the drawings and from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter described and more particularly defined at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure, and in which like letters and numerals of reference' denote corresponding parts thereto the several features:

Figure 1 isa side elevation of a pressure casting machine as applied to a molding iiask which is shown in section;

Figure 2 is an elevation of a casting machine similar to that in Figure 1, but showing the ap-l plication of a plurality of the pressure lines; v Figure 3 is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Figure 2 omitting the hose connections; Figure 4 is a sectional view lshowing the construction of the distributor heady A* v Figure 5 is a detailed sectional View of the presa-' sure head elevating means;`v

Figure 46 illustrates a modication in which there is a single pressure distributing manifold with av plurality of pressure hose connections s therefrom, and a plurality of connection supporting heads adjustable about a vertical support which is raised and lowered by the rack;

Figure' '7 is a sectional detail of the manifold head taken on the line I-'I of Figure 6;

v Figure 8 is a section taken on the lineV 8-\8 of Figure 6; Y

Figure `9 is a perspective of one of the supporting blocks.; and

Figure 10 is adetail'view of an automatic valve operator in closed position, shown in Figure 6 in open position.

In pressure casting machines as heretofore employed, provisions havernot been made for application to a plurality of asks or molds, and apparently no provision has been made for making such applications in a variety of positions radiating or extending outwardly from. a central supporting member.

The present invention overcomes these objections by providing a portable support having rotatable supply heads which may be raised and lowered and pressure applied at any angle from them as a central source' ofy pressure supply.

As amodii'ication, a raisable manifold having a plurality of pressure hose connections may also be provided with a supporting stem upon which Y are adjustably mounted various supports adjustable at diiferent angles for the mold engaging rings which are raised and lowered to apply them to a flask. In this case, a plurality of hose con# nections are provided from the manifold to any of the pressure clamping rings, and in addition, the admission of air to the flask may be controlled by automatic valve means.

j Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a hollow vertical stand I il is suitably secured to a base II and isv reinforced by braces I2 and I3. In the hollow stand I@ is a movable support I4 having a rack I5 along one side meshing with a pinionv I5 mounted in a recess I6 at the top of the stand III upon ashaft I1 which rprojects outwardly and is provided at the outside. with a hand wheel I8 for rotating the pinion and thereby raising and'lowering the support I4. vvThe' entire casting machine is mounted `for raisingk and lowering movement, and the entire base together with the casting machine is free for movement to any location upon a truck I9 or any other movable means. i

In the uppervend of racksupport' I4 is a bore 20 for receiving the lowervend of a shaft or stem 2|. This stem has a collar 22 which limits its l insertion into the opening 20 and at the upper end is a hollow shaft or pipe 23 upon which a number of distributing heads 24 are mounted and rotatable.

A bottom ring 21 is secured to the shaft 23v having an inner chamber28 sealed at the lower end by the shaft and'with a circular rib 29 corresponding to the ribs 26 of the other headsadapted to be seated in the circular groove 25 of the lowermost head 24. Communicating through the outer l wall of the bottom ring is a pipe tting'Sil which` receives pressure therefor through a .connecting hose 3l.

Each head 24v has a hollow centrally space 32 and upper and lower walls 33 with perforations 34 therethrough to insure communication between the pressure heads, except the top wall of the uppermost head in which there are no perforations. Extending laterally from each head through'the outer wall thereof is a supportingV pipe 35 by means of which each headmaybe rotated to a different Yangular position.y

Seated in each of the grooves 25 is a gasket or packing 35 which is engaged rby the rib 2B'and by rib 29 when the heads are pressed together to make an air-tight connection between them.V

A top clamping ring 31 is movable upon the shaft 23 and has a groove 38 in ts'lower face engaged by the circular rib 26 of the uppermost distributing head.V Surrounding the shaftfrom the upper side of the ring is a stuffing box39 in which is a gasket or packing 40 engaged by a gland 4I and having projecting flanges 42 through rwhich threaded fastening bolts 43 are inserted into ltheelamping ring to tighten the gland in place. l K Y y In order to hold the entire assembly of Ydistributor heads against the bottom ring 21, apipe end plug 4A is threaded into the end of theA shaft 23 and the threaded extremity of a bolt 45 projects through the outer end of the plug. A U- shaped yoke 46 extends over the end of the shaft with the threaded portion of the bolt 45 extending through the connecting end of the member, with the parallel extremities of the yoke bearing against the upper end of the top ring member 31 intermedia-te the projections 42, and the vyoke being pressed downwardly by a fastening nut 49 threaded against it on the upper end of the bolt 45. Y

With this construction, the pressure heads are assembled upon the shaft 23, they are rotatable entirely around the shaft between the end `members 21 and 31, a fluid type connection isV maintainedbetween the pressure heads andthe end members, but there is a free communication 0f pressure between the heads 24.

At lthe outer end of each distributing pipe 35 is a pipe T, 50 with closely connected valves 5| for controlling exible pressure to hose sections 42. At the'outer end of each hose section is 'a connectedpipe 53 having a sprue or riser cover 54 at the outer end thereof.

In order to support-the covers 54 at the proper height, each of the distributor pipes 35 may also carry positioning bars or pipes 55` which are adiustably held by clamps 56 with respect tothe pipe 35, the clamp including blocks 51 adjustably mounted upon the pipes 35 and held in-place Yby fasteningbolts58. Sliding blocks 59 Vare 9.150

mounted upon the bars 55 and the hollow pipes 53 inserted through them so that these pipes may be held in proper vertical position. vA coil spring 60 surrounds each of the pipes.55, bearing at one end against one of the blocks 59 and at the other end against an adjustable collar 6l, the collar being positioned so that the cover 54 will be pressed by the spring into engagement with a flask .or other article to receive pressure theren from. Another collar YEl is also adjustably mounted on each pipe 53 on the other side of the block 59 to limit the movement of the pipe with respect to the block 59 under the action of the `spring 60.

With this construction any one or any pair of the covers 54 may be applied to a flask to receive pressure therefrom. As shown in Fig, l, two covers 54 are applied to sprue and riser openings 52 and 63 in a sand mold 54 having recesses 65 in the cope which are diiiicult to iill with molten metal without the application of pressure.

Inv operation, the casting machine is brought closely adjacent to molding flask or group 0i such flasks, the extension pipes 35 are arranged outwardly in different directions rotating from the supporting shaft 23, by turning the pipes 35 in the proper direction the bars 55 may be adjusted by the clamps 55 to receive the blocks 53 in which the pipes 53 are slidable and at the proper height so that when the covers 54 engage the tops of the sand in the fiasks surrounding the cope and riser openings, the covers will be under a slight pressurev of theA springs. f Y' lIn practice, the heights of the flasks are usually at the same or predetermined levels so that after setting the arms, it is only necessary to raise and lower the rack support I4 in order toquickly position the covers for engagement with any flask or group of flasks. By having the outer edges of the cover slightiy larger than the flask openings for which they are used, low pressure may be applied to the mold directly through the sand without blowing the sand out or distorting the mold. It will alsobe noted that a cover supported by one pipe extension 35 may be applied to one opening of a nask and a` cover supported by another pipe extension may be applied to the other opening of the same flask, sinceV eachconneeting hose 52 has its own controlling valve 5i. In this way a multiple casting machine of this type be more readily connected to `a single flask or to a plurality of flasks. In order to repair Yor replace any of the pressure heads or to renew the gaskets thereof, it is necessary only to remove the yoke 46 by removing the fastening nut 43 and then removing the upper ring members and the pressure beads from the shaft 23.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 6 to 10, the resultant operation is practically the same, but the actual structure varies slightly in providing a common pressure manifold at the top, in holding the laterally extending pipes at different angles with respect to the central shaft, and in providing valves in connection with the pressure supply pipes which are Yautomatically opened and closed when .the pressure pipes are raised and lowered. In this form of the invention, a portable base 1G has a rack 1l raised and lowered by an engaging pinion 12 operated by .a handv Wheel 13. A hollow or solid supporting shaft 14 extends upwardly from the rack which carriesr a pressure manifold 15 extending transversely at the top thereof. vThis manifold comprises a central T716 threaded'on the upper end of the shaft 14 with pipesrll extending laterally in'both directions therefrom and each closed at the end by a cap '|8.

A pressure supply line for the manifold comprises a fitting '|'9 extending therefrom, a pressure gauge 88, a pressure reducing valve 8| and a h'and valve 82 being connected in the supply line and terminating in a fixture 83 to which'a flexible hose 84 is connected, the other end of the hose being connected to an angle fitting 35 supported by the base 18 and provided with an opening for the connection of a pressure supply pipe 86- At one side of the manifold are a plurality of hand valves 81 each to control the supply of air under pressure through a hose 89 to a valve 99 at the outer end thereof. Each valve 9|) is mounted at the upper end of a pressure supply pipe 9| which carries a pressure cover 92 at its lower end. The valve 90 comprises a projecting valve operating stem 93 and an operating member 94 for engaging the stem pivoted on the valve housing and having a projecting arm 95 with a valve operating block 96 adjustable along the arm by means of a thumbscrew 91.

Intermediate the ends of each pipe 92 is a valve operating member 98, having an angular projection 99 for engaging an inclined surface at one end of the block and moving thereon to a flat surface |0| which relatively moves the outer end of the arm and moves the member 94 inwardly and presses the Vvalve stem 93 to open the valve. The operating vmember 98 may be set in any position along the pipe 9| and held in place by a set screw |92.

A spiral spring |93 surrounds each pipe 9|, abuts the member 98 at its upper end and a collar |94 adjustably secured to th'e pipe 9| at the other end. Each pipe 9| is adjusted to the proper height and held in place by a horizontally extending bar or pipe which extends through an opening in the member 98 where it is adjustably secured in place by a hand screw |06. Each horizontal supporting bar or pipe |95 extends through a supporting head |81 where it is adjustably clamped in place by a set screw |08 and this head has an opening by which it is angularly adjustable upon the vertical supporting shaft 14 and held in any adjusted position by a hand or set screw |09. f

This pressure casting machine is applied to the sprue and riser holes in a flask or mold as described by raising the rack and the supporting shaft 14 above the mold or flask, in setting the particular pipes 9| and their covers 92 at such a height that when the covers are brought down against the flask 0r mold, the springs |93 will be partially compressed. The valve operating members 98 will then be held at such a height that when th'e pipes 9| are lowered, the engagement cf the covers 92 Awith the mold will cause a relative raising movement of the free end of the valve operating arm 95 from a position as shown in Figure to an open position as shown in Figure 6, whereupon air or other fluid under pressure may be admitted from the manifold 95 through one of the valves 8.1 and its supply hose 89. It will be apparent that the supporting heads |97 are adjustable angularly in any direction upon the vertical shaft 14 so'that by having a plurality of heads and a plurality of different hose connections, air pressure may be applied to a number of flasks or molds extending at different angles from the shaft so that a number of simultaneous applications may be made by properly arranging the supports and pipes. By

Having thus described the invention, what Iv claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A pressure casting machine comprising in combination asupporting member, a plurality of heads rotatively mounted on the member, an adjustable supporting pipe extending from each head,` a valved distributing hose supported by each pipe, means for raisingand lowering the `supportingr member and all of the distributing hoses, and a common source of pressure forseparately distributing pressure to the different hoses with their supporting pipes at different angles to the said supporting member.

2. In a pressure casting machine a supporting member, a plurality of pressure heads rotatively mounted upon the supporting member having communicating openings between adjacent heads, means forming a fluid tight packing between the heads, a xed pressure ring at one end of Vthe heads for receiving fluid under pressure and communicating it to the several heads, a clamping ring at the other end of the heads secured to said member, and distributing pipes extending from each of the heads for separately distributing e pressure therefrom.

3. In a pressure casting machine a supporting shaft, a plurality of pressure heads rotatively mounted upon the shaft having openings forming communications between the heads, a fixed ring at one end of the shaft for receiving pressure, a clamping ring at the other end of the heads, means to make fluid tight connection between the shaft and the clamping ring, gasket holding means between the end rings and the heads to provide a fluid tight connection and to allow the free rotation of the heads with respect to the shaft, and a pipe extendingy laterally from 5') each head to distribute pressure therefrom in any direction.

4. In a pressure casting machine, a supporting shaft, .a plurality of hollow communicating heads freely rotatable upon the shaft, a fixed ring for receiving pressure at one end of the heads, an

adjustable clamping ring for engaging the heads at the other end, and means at the end of the shaft for engaging and holding the clamping ring.

' 5. In a pressure casting machine, a supporting shaft, a plurality of communicating pressure heads rotatively mounted on the shaft, a fixed pressure ring communicating with one adjacent head, a movable clamping ring engaging the op-` posite end head adjacent the outer end of the shaft, .a packing gland adjustable on the clamping ring, a fastening stud projecting at the end of the shaft, and a clamping yoke extending over Y the end of the shaft and engaging the clamping ring at opposite sides of the packing gland and the connected end of the yoke engaged by the stud for holding the yoke in place.

6. A pressure casting machine comprisingin combination a pressure head supporting member, a plurality of hollow communicating pressure automatic operation of heads rotatively 'mounted' upon the supporting` connections.

'7. A pressure casting machine4 comprising in combination a portable base having a movable supporting member with a rack at one side, a pinion engaging thefrack with a hand wheel for raising rand lowering it, a shaft carried by the saidsupporting member, a plurality of communieating pressure Vheads rotatively mounted upon the shaft, means for engaging the end heads and holding them together for fluid tight connection, a pipe extensionA from each of the heads, means for supplying air under pressure to the heads, a plurality of exible hose connections controlled by valves at the end of each pipe, and a pipe connected at the end of each hose having an enlarged cover for application to the opening of a casting flask.

valvedV connections with the pipe, a flask openingcover'connected to the outer end of each hose section, .and means including a supporting bar and a clamp for attaching the supporting bar to the pipe for holding thel free end of the hoseV and .the cover in adjusted position with respect to the pipe. Y

9. In a pressure casting machine, a hollow distributing head and means for supporting its free rotation, a supporting pipe extending therefrom, hose sections having separate valve connections with the pipe, an end pipe extending from the extremity of each hose section with a flask hole cover at the outer end thereof, a pair'of supporting bars and an adjustabe clamp for connecting the bars at different angles to end pipes, and blocks mounted on the bars for engaging end pipes for holding them in adjustable position withrrespect t a flask for receiving pressure.

10. In a pressure casting machine, a hollow pressure head, means for mounting the head for free rotation, a supporting pipe extending from the head, a flexible hose section connected to .the pipe, asupporting bar, .and means for adjustably attaching it tothe supporting pipe, a positioning block carried by the bar, an end pipe connected to the free end of the hose and extending through the block carried by the bar, a flask hole cover at the extremity of the end pipe, a spring surrounding the end pipe, a collar adjustable on the end pipe confining the spring between it and the block for pressing the cover away from the block tolengage the cover with `a flask.

l1. In a pressure casting machine, a plurality of rotatable pressure heads, a common means to support the heads for free rotation, a supporting pipe extending from each head,a plurality of hose sections having valved connections with the pipes, an end pipe with a flask hole cover connected to each of the hose sections, a plurality of bars and adjustable clamps for positioning the bars with respect to any of the supporting pipes, blocks mounted on the bars throughV which the end pipes are slidable, and

vresilient means for pressing each of the end pipes outwardly from its supporting block.

12,- In a pressure casting machine, a movable pressure head having a supporting pipe extending therefrom, a flexible hose Section having a valve connection with the pipe, a supporting bar and an adjustable clamp for' connecting the bar at variousl positions with vrespect to the supporting pipe, an end pipe connected to the hose section having a flask hole cover at the outer end thereof, a positioning block on the bar through Vwhich the end pipe is slidable, collars adjustable on the end pipe at bothjsides of the block, va spring surrounding the pipe and extending between the block and one of the collars at the cover side of the pipe to exibly apply the cover to a ask, and the other collar being positioned on the end pipe at the other side of the block at a distance to limit the extending movement of the spring when it is not partially compressed by application of the cover to a flask hole.

`13. In a pressure casting machine, a supporting shaft, a plurality of heads freely rotatable upon the shaft, a manifold at the top of the shaft for receiving a uid underA pressure, asupporting pipe adjustable in each of the heads, a plurality of distributing hoses each having a Valve connection with the manifold and supported by one of the pipes, and Vmeans for raising and lowering the supporting shaft and all of the said parts supported-thereby.

14. A pressureA casting machine comprising in combination a supporting shaft, a plurality of heads adjustable rotatably upon the shaft, a supporting pipe extending from each of the heads, a common pressure manifold at the top ofthe shaft', flexible hose connections connected to the manifold and supported by each of the pipes, means for bodily raising and lowering the supporting shaft for applying the hose connections, and a valve at the outer end of each hose having` means for opening and closing the valve when the supporting shaft is lowered and raised.

15. In a pressure casting machine, a plurality of flexible hose connections, a plurality of pipes each supporting one of the hose connections, an end pipe extendingfrom the extremity of each hose with a nask hole cover at the outer end thereof, a block through which the end pipe is moved, means for raising Vand lowering the supporting hoses and end pipes in applying thesaid covers to a flask, and a valve connecting the hose and its end pipe with an operating arm adapted to engage the saidblock for opening and closing the valve to control huid under pressure to a flask when the hose connection is lowered and raised.

16- In a pressure casting machine, a plurality of rotatable heads, a common means to support the heads for free rotation, a supporting pipe extending kfrom each head, a plurality' of hose sections each connected to a common source of pressure at one end and having an end pipe with a flask hole cover connected at the other end, means supported-by the heads Yfor positioning the hose sections in different angular directions with respect to the common supporting means bloclrs mounted on the supporting meansrto which the end pipes are slidable, resilient means tending to press eachv of the end pipes outwardly from its supporting block, and automatic pressure valves between each hose section and its end pipe having an extending arm adapted to engage the block for, opening andclosing the valve in accordance with the movement of the end pipes with respect to the blocks.

17. In a pressure casting machine, a vertical supporting shaft, a plurality of heads rotatably adjustable thereon, each having a supporting pipe extending therefrom, a common manifold at the top of the shaft for receiving fluid under pressure, a plurality of iiexible hose sections each having a valve connection with the manifold, an automatic Valve at the other end of each hose section supported by one of the said pipes, an end pipe connected to the outer end of each hose section through the said valve and having a ask 10 hole cover at the outer end thereof, a positioning block carried by one of the supporting pipes through which the end pipe is slidable, a spring surrounding the pipe and adapted to flexibly apply the cover to a flask, means for raising and lowering the shaft and the said parts supported thereby, and each valve at the end of a hose section having an arm adapted to engage the supporting block for opening and closing the valve depending upon the raising and lowering movement in applying and removing the iiaskk hole covers with respect to a iiask.

EMIL O. JENSEN. 

